China Raises Total Desalination Plant Capacity by 16% in 2013

Aug. 15 (Bloomberg) -- China, the world’s most populous
nation, raised its desalination plant capacity by about 16
percent last year, after promoting the industry to counter water
shortages.

The country in 2013 added daily capacity that can generate
125,500 metric tons of water stripped of salt and other
minerals, bringing its total to 900,800 tons, according to an
Aug. 13 statement on the website of the State Oceanic
Administration. Costs are about 5 yuan (81 cents) to 8 yuan each
ton, it said.

Most of the plants are in coastal cities and islands
lacking water, said the agency. The desalinated water will
mainly be supplied to industries in the north of the country and
homes in the south, it said.

China’s northern city of Tianjin, and Hebei and Shandong
provinces, now have the most desalination capacity, according to
the administration.